Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile is with Ryan McElmurry, a 2011 GHS grad. Ryan played on one of Coach Mike Reynold’s first great basketball teams at Galesburg High School. Reynold’s teams were known for toughness, strong defense, and a team first attitude. Ryan McElmurry was a “Reynold’s kind of player.” Ryan as the point guard was an extension of Coach Reynold’s on the floor, and embodied the toughness, defense, and unselfishness his coach demanded. Coach McElmurry has been an assistant varsity basketball coach at Peoria High for several years. This year he has been named as interim varsity head coach. I had a chance to ask Ryan about his journey and vision as a basketball coach, and to get some from his GHS team to talk about Ryan.
Conversation with Ryan…
Favorite Teachers/Classes at GHS
Mrs. Aten, Mrs. Wiley-Parkin, Mrs. Qualls, Mr. Hickey
Some of Favorite Memories Growing Up in Galesburg/GHS
Childhood memories: spending countless hours at Voyles Fields. Playing Carver Center Basketball
GHS Memories: Playing basketball at GHS (state ranked senior year). Also, being apart of the student sections at girls basketball games, volleyball games, football games
What Did You Do After HS Graduation
1 year at Illinois Central College. 1 year at Black Hawk College. 3 years at Eureka College (business administration degree)
Describe Your Journey to Becoming Varsity Coach
I kind of knew after my junior year of high school I wanted to eventually be a basketball coach.
My first opportunity came at Eureka College as a volunteer assistant in 2019. First team to ever reach the D3 NCAA tournament in Eureka College History.
After graduating from EC I spent 1 year in Dallas. Decided to move back to Illinois when COVID shut the country down.
Once I moved back to Illinois I landed in Peoria where I got hired as a varsity assistant at Peoria High School in 2020.
You Were Part of Coach Reynold’s First Really Good Teams- What Has He Meant to You
Coach Reynolds, had an EXTREME impact on my life. If it wasn’t for him getting hired at GHS, I may not be in the position I am in today. I’ve thanked him numerous times over the years for saving my life. I feel that I’m forever indebted to Coach Reynolds.
What Do You Hope People Say About You as a Coach
I hope people say that I say that I coach hard and love harder. I constantly challenge my guys to perform at a high level. But with that comes a lot of love.
What Do You Hope People See in Your Players
When people interact with our players outside of the court I hope they say our guys are well mannered, respectful, and leaders by example.
When people watch our players on the court, I hope they say how relentless, unselfish, and disciplined they are!
Best Advice When You Took Over as Interim Head Coach
The best advice I got taking over at Peoria High was “be the positive light that those boys on your team deserve.”
Obviously, there has been a lot of outside noise here at PHS lately. I’ve just focused on providing a positive space for these young men to get away from any negativity. They’ve done a tremendous job of staying focused on the task at hand and leaning on each other!
What Others Say About Ryan…
Garrett Williams’ Thoughts on Ryan…
Buck (Ryan) was one of the best teammates I ever had. If I only had one word to describe him as a teammate it would be “Warrior”. Buck was a selfless player that was all about winning and doing the little things even when no one was watching. He took pride in guarding the other team’s best guard and his toughness and leadership trickled down throughout the whole team.
What sets him apart as a coach from most is that he truly cares for his players not only on the basketball court but off the court as well. He’s all the way invested in their growth as basketball players and their futures beyond basketball. He has a great basketball mind, but his ability to build relationships and his commitment to putting in the work is what will translate to him being a very successful high school basketball coach.
Chad Thompson’s Thoughts on Ryan…
As a teammate, Ryan was the ultimate competitor. Whether is was summer games, open gym, camp, at the park, practice, or games, he was going to give you 100% and demand 100% from his teammates. He was a true point guard in every sense of the word. He made everyone on our team better because of the way he played. We knew he would set the tone on the defensive end and he was also going to do everything in his power to get Brandon Thompson and myself going on the offensive end. He was the heartbeat of our team and the toughest guy I ever played with.
As a coach, his heart, drive, commitment to his teammates, and focus on the defensive end are all things that will make him a great coach. He holds a high standard and is hard on everyone. He is going to demand your very best and hold you accountable. He is the definition of a man brought up by Coach Reynolds, the man I know Ryan and I both look up to greatly because without him, we would not be the men we are. He is going to coach his players hard and love them with all of his heart.
Coach Mike Reynold’s Thoughts on Ryan…
Ryan was one of the hardest playing players that I have coached in my career. He was a team first guy that was always leading by example on the court. He had the respect of all his teammates for his hard work and dedication to winning.
His coaching career has been impressive. He has had an “old school” climb through the ranks coaching at Peoria HS and with Mid Pro Academy AAU.
It is obvious to me that he a “relationship based coach,” who understands that coaching is always bigger than basketball. His head coaching career will be successful because of his work ethic and his ability to build relationships with his players.
I am beyond proud of the leader that Bucket has grown into.